Caleb (The Unseen Series Book 1) (6 page)

“Don’t you dare touch me. You might not call the police, but I will,” I threaten.

The growl that emanates from his throat scares the shit out of me. I notice too late as the back of his hand connects with my right cheek. I fall to the ground in a daze. I stay down. On my hands and knees I look at the ground, taking short sharp breaths to stop myself from crying and looking even more pathetic than I already do. I don’t need to get up though, Jake lowers himself to my level.

“Don’t you dare threaten me. Next time you won’t leave this place with your innocence intact. Willingly or not, it’s mine to take until you have paid me every penny you owe me,” he tells me, stands up and then spits on the ground beside my hands. He walks off laughing and I turn to sit on my ass, blinking rapidly and biting my lip to stop myself from crying. Eventually a whimpered sob passes my lips and the floodgate open. I cry for a good ten minutes before I finally get up and dust myself off. I will not be a victim. I’ve spent my life making sure the twins and I don’t end up being just another statistic, I’m not about to fold now.

***

I pulled up outside the house, were Ken rents a room, half an hour ago. I tried to wake him, but he didn’t even stir. Eventually I hear the tell tale sign of his breathing changing and the small movement that seems to spasm through his arms and legs.

He grunts as he sits up, holding his head and squeezing his eyes shut. When he finally opens his eyes, he looks around. A little confused and dazed, his eyes land on me.

“SJ? Wh-what’s going on?” he asks.

“You got drunk again Dad. I had to pick you up from Jake’s after you trashed the place again,” I tell him.

“I’m so sorry.”

“Don’t Dad. I don’t want your excuses. Just get inside so I can go home. I have to work in the morning,” I say and lower my head.

He doesn’t say anything for the longest time. We just sit in the car in complete silence. When I look at him, he’s staring at me, his hand comes up to touch my face. “What happened?” he asks, lightly rubbing my cheek.

“Let’s just say, Jake’s fed up of waiting for his money,” I say and leave it at that.

“Jake did this?”

“Yeah,” I say simply. “Why do you keep going back there?”

His face is a mixture of anger and guilt. “He doesn’t cut me off, he lets me drink until I pass out.”

“Why are you drinking? I thought you were sober?”

“I was, until a social worker got back to me about Maddie and Mitch.”

“Oh yeah,” I say, gulping down my panic. “What did they say?”

“They can’t find them. Can you believe that? My children are lost in the system.”

I don’t respond, too scared my quivering voice will give away my secret. Ken isn’t my biological father, but he has been there for me since I was a very little girl, so it hurts a little that he hasn’t mentioned me as one of his children.

“SJ, I can’t stay here tonight.” Ken’s voice finally cuts though my thinking.

“Why?”

“I’m on my last warning. If I come back drunk once more, I’m out.”

“Where do you want me to take you then?”

“I don’t have anywhere else to go,” he says and before I know it, I’m offering him a bed for the night.

***

We pull up to my building and I turn to him. “One night. You sleep on the sofa and you’re gone first thing in the morning.”

“SJ, I know you hate me right now and I’m truly sorry,” he tells me.

“I don’t hate you, I just don’t understand you,” I say and go to get out of the car when Ken grabs hold of my upper arm in a tight grip.

“You don’t understand me?” he growls. “I raised you like my own, you ungrateful little shit. Your whore of a mother got herself knocked up and I took you both in. She was whoring herself around for years. I’m not even sure the twins are mine, but I stayed and took care of you all,” he says as he starts to raise his voice. “Even after the skank ran off and abandoned us, I took care of you all until those fucking social workers turned up.”

“No Ken, you turned to alcohol and I took care of us. We ended up on the street because of you. Now remove your hand from my arm before I drive you back to Jake’s and you can pay your own debt to him,” I threaten.

“You wouldn’t dare,” he argues.

“You want to bet on that?” I ask as I turn the ignition back on.

“Okay, okay, I’m sorry,” he begs, his arm dropping back to his seat.

“I put up with your shit for two years after the skank left us and I’m still doing it now, the difference now is I’m an adult.”

“Then why do you put up with me?” he asks.

“Because I love you Dad and because you’re the only parent I have.”
And because I have the twins and I’m hiding them from you to protect them, and every time you fall off the wagon I know it’s because you miss them so much and that it’s all my fault.

“I love you too, Sarah-Jayne. You know that right?”

“Then get yourself sober,” I tell him in a last ditch attempt to help him.

Chapter 6

I
waited
all morning Saturday to hear from SJ but she didn’t call. I hadn’t heard from her for the remainder of the week and I was worrying now. I needed to do some digging and find out what had happened to her. Find out why she was on the streets at such a young age and not going to college. I had a surprise for SJ that I wanted her to share with the other residents in her building. I couldn’t wait to tell her but she hadn’t called me. Taking control of things, I decided to call her.

“Hello?” she answers quietly.

“Hey, it’s Caleb,” I reply hesitantly.

“Is everything okay?” she asks, clearly perplexed as to why I’m calling her.

“I was going to ask you that. You said you’d call and let me know about tonight.”

“Oh, you still want to take me out?”

“Of course I do,” I respond to her surprised comment.

“Well, the thing is, I don’t really have anything to wear to dinner,” she confesses.

“I don’t suppose you can get away for a bit?”

“Sorry, I’ve got Rita’s children till six.”

“Okay, I’ll send someone to you.”

“Huh?”

“A shop assistant and stylist, be ready by seven,” I playfully demand, smiling like a fucking idiot into the phone.

Once I hang up, I take a few breaths—I will not get myself this riled up over a girl. I call Macy’s and ask them to send someone over to SJ’s with a selection of evening dresses, shoes, and accessories. After giving them a rough profile of her, I ask if they know any good hair and make-up stylist and she is also now on her way to SJ’s.

I then call Taberna Del Alabardero and thanks to the power of money, secure us a secluded table that any other person would have had to wait a year for.

I pull up at SJ’s in a sleek black limo. I decided that if I’m going to dress her up and take her out, I might as well do it in style. With a bouquet of pink and white calla lilies in hand, I knock on her door. I can’t believe how nervous I am, but then again, it’s been a long time since I’ve been on a date with someone I actually want to go out with and not just have sex with. When SJ opens the door, I’m speechless. She is wearing the most innocent and elegant dress that still manages to look goddamn sexy. It clings to her in all the right places.

“Do I look okay?” she asks nervously. She’s wearing a Betsy and Adams, black floor length dress, tight fitting all the way down. It has a high neck line and capped sleeves made from lace, with ruffling detail down the side. She’s wearing black heels and a black beaded bracelet, so understated yet so perfect. Even her hair is quaint, pulled back into a simple high bun.

“You look...” I start, trying to find the perfect word.

“I don’t know whether your silence is a good thing or bad,” she says hesitantly.

“Good, definitely good,” I manage, handing her the flowers and offering my arm. “Shall we?”

“Yes, one moment,” she says and unsteadily walks back into her apartment, placing the flowers in a sink of water and saying goodbye to her children and Rita. “I’m ready.”

I open the door and help her into the limo. She hasn’t said a word about it and now I’m worrying about the same thing she did—is her silence a good thing or bad?

“You okay?” I ask, trying to break this icy silence.

“Yeah, sorry it’s a lot to take in,” she responds.

“First time in a limo?”

“No, I ride in them every day.”

Sarcasm seems to be her go to defense mechanism. “What about when you went to prom, isn’t it all about the dress and the limo for a girl?”

I watch her closely as she wrings her hands in her lap. “I didn’t get to go to prom.”

“Oh, I’m sorry.”

“Why are you apologizing?”

“I mean, for bringing up a subject that obviously hurts you.”

“It doesn’t hurt me,” she snaps. “I knew I would never go to prom, the twins came before a dress.”

“Okay, I didn’t mean to offend you.”

“I’m sorry I snapped. Money has always been tight for as long as I remember. I learned to budget and live on twenty dollars a week with the twins to feed. I get a bit angry when I see money wasted now. I don’t know why, it’s not like it’s my money to worry about.”

“I get it, I haven’t always had money.” I wince as I say it. I’ve probably always had more than she has. “I’m not trying to compare us, but I do, sort of understand.”

Her smile puts me at ease, letting me know she’s accepted my apology. “I don’t resent money, it’s greed that gets me.”

“What do you mean?”

“You for example,” she starts and I get ready to defend myself. “This limo, this dress, it’s what I would call a waste of money, but it was thoughtful of you and I feel like a princess.”

I love the blush that colors her cheeks. “You’re welcome.”

“I’m not finished,” she says and looks at me sheepishly. “You’ve brought our building to tear it down and build a new one, all for more money.”

“That’s my job,” I respond.

“Maybe, but you’re making sixty-six families homeless.”

“No I’m not. I’ve given plenty of notice.”

“You may think that, but you could give these people a year’s notice, and most of them still wouldn’t be able to find a home.”

“That isn’t my fault though. The building was for sale, if I didn’t buy it, someone else would have and they may not have been as lenient.”

“Look, let’s not spoil our evening. I’m sorry. Let’s just agree to disagree,” she says and I agree, I don’t want to spoil our evening, but I’m finding it hard to let it go.

“Okay, we’ll agree to disagree,” I respond. I won’t let anyone make me feel bad about what I do for a living, even if I am starting to think it might be the wrong thing to do.
Wow, since when did I have a conscience? Damn, this woman is getting under my skin.

“So, where are we going?” she asks.

“Taberna Del Alabardero, it’s a beautiful restaurant. I hope you like Spanish food, they have the best tapas,” I tell her.

“I’ve never had Spanish food, except paella.”

“They have that too,” I say and receive a heart stopping smile in return. “How’s your week been?”

“It’s been good, thank you. Made even better by the new bathrooms. I actually relaxed in the bath last night.” She grins like it’s the best thing in the world.

“You should try my bath,” I say before thinking.

“Umm.”

“It’s okay SJ, I meant it jokingly,” I say to try and calm her nerves.

“You never know, I might take you up on that offer.” She laughs. “I bet you have all sorts of gadgets and stuff on it.”

I try, but I’m unable to hide my smirk. “Yeah, I have a whirlpool tub and spa shower. I love my tub, I can lay in there and work, read or watch TV until I shrivel up. If I could live in there, I would.”

“Sounds amazing, I seriously might have to take you up on that offer now. For experimental reasons of course, see how the other half live,” she says, pretending to be uninterested.

“It’s okay, I’ll stick to your story,” I say as she furrows her brow. “We wouldn’t want anyone thinking you wanted to try my bath for the fun of it.”

“T-that’s not what I meant,” she stammers.

“It’s big enough for two, maybe we could try it together? We’d have to be naked to get the full effect of the spa bath, for experimental reasons of course.” I tease and watch that cute pink blush creep in again, she shuffles in her seat and remains silent for the rest of the journey.

When we arrive at Taberna Del Alabardero, I help SJ out of the limo and hook her arm through mine. This is the bit I like, seeing this restaurant through someone else’s eyes for the first time. I remember walking in and nearly tripping over my feet when I first dined here. It’s like walking into the Spanish royal palace with the rich colors, the attention to detail in all the wood carvings, and the gold accents. SJ’s reaction isn’t exactly what I thought I’d see—she’s fidgety and looks uncomfortable.

“Mr. Slate, it’s good to see you again.” The maitre d’ grins widely. “Your table is ready, if you’d please follow me.”

I pull the chair out for SJ, she sits hesitantly with a tight smile as I tuck her back in under the table. I seat myself and take the dinner and wine menus from the waiter.

“What would you like to drink?” I ask her. She scans both menus before meeting my eyes. I’m not prepared for what I see. “What’s the matter?”

“There’s no prices,” she whispers and diverts her eyes away.

“A place like this doesn’t put pricing on their menus,” I say, matching her whisper. “It’s okay, you can order whatever you want.”

She nods and looks over the menu again. “I don’t know what any of this is.”

“Would you like me to order for you?” I ask and place my hand on top of hers resting on the table. Giving me a small but vulnerable smile, she nods.

“Can I still have paella please?”

“We’ll have a bottle of the 2000 Louis Roederer Cristal and two bottles of sparkling water, please,” I ask the waiter.

“Very good, sir. Are you ready to order?” he asks.

“Yes, we’ll start with Foie Gras mi-cuit, green apple puree and toast for both of us please. Then I’ll have the Swordfish brochette over garlic fries, tomato, and chicory.”

“And for the lady?” the waiter cuts in.

“SJ, do you like seafood?” I ask and she nods. “She’ll have the squid ink paella with calamari and octopus.”

“Squid ink?” SJ asks when the waiter leaves.

“It’s beautiful, you’ll love it,” I answer. There’s silence for a moment and SJ begins fidgeting again. “I love this place,” I say to break the silence. “The first time I came here, I spent more time looking around than listening to my client.”

“It’s umm... overwhelming,” she replies and I can’t help but think she actually meant overstated.

The waiter returns with our wine. He pours a small amount into a glass and hands it to me to check it isn’t corked. I give him a nod of approval and he pours out two glasses, leaving two bottles of sparkling water on the table after we ask him to leave them unopened.

Our entree arrives and SJ begins fiddling again. “What’s the matter?”

When she looks up, her eyes are glassy. “I don’t know which fork to use,” she says as her lip trembles.

“It’s this one, with three tines,” I say and point to the fork. “The one with two tines is for the relish.”

“But there’s no relish,” she says.

“It’s the green apple puree,” I explain.

“Why didn’t you just say that?” she huffs.

“SJ,” I say firmly to get her attention. “You’re clearly uncomfortable, would you like to leave?”

“No, don’t be silly. You’ve gone to all this trouble with the dress and reservation, it would be a waste,” she answers.

“Answer me honestly, do you really want to be here?”

She wrings her hands and chews her lip, eventually answering. “No, I don’t.”

“Then get up and we’ll leave,” I say and pull her chair out.

“What the..?” she starts but I move her quickly through the restaurant, stopping at the maître d’ handing him a stack of one hundred dollar bills for the meal and the inconvenience. “Caleb?”

I stop suddenly and turn to face her. “Will you come to my place?”

“I’m not sleeping with you,” she replies quickly.

“I’m not sure if I should be offended or not.” I smile and quirk a brow. When she doesn’t smile back, I frown. “Why would you think I would be inviting you over for that?”

“It doesn’t matter. I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have assumed,” she says a little contrite.

“Don’t apologize,” I say and sweep a lock of fallen hair behind her ear. “How do grilled cheese sandwiches and coffee sound?”

“A lot better than squid ink.” She laughs and the sound is mesmerizing.
I am such a girl.

We climb into the waiting limo and head back to my place.

“You know, that’s one thing I never really understand,” I say randomly.

“What’s that?” she asks.

“The wine production,” I answer and her eyebrows go up. She is clearly confused or thinks I’m crazy. The little crease between her brows looks adorable and it takes all my will power to continue what I’m saying and not try to smooth it out. “When the waiter asks if I’d like to see the wine list, he may as well ask me if I want to see the book of gibberish.”

She chuckles and turns to face me. “Really? You looked so confident.”

“I was trying to impress you. In fact I was mostly searching for one I could pronounce,” I say and begin blushing myself.
I need a cold shower and to man up.

She laughs out loud. “Are you being serious?” I nod. “Please don’t try to impress me Caleb, I’ve never felt so out of place in my life. I’d rather be on a comfy sofa, wearing sweats and a t-shirt, eating grilled cheese sandwiches and drinking coffee.”

“Okay. I’m sorry, I just wanted you to have a special night,” I say.

“Maybe you should have asked me what I classify as special then. Which, by the way, is what I just told you.” She smiles sweetly. “You know what I don’t get?”